Friday, 30 September 2011

Erdinger Weissbier "Dunkel" (Germany)

www.erdinger.de

Privatbrauerei Erdinger Weissbrau

Erdinger Weissbier "Dunkel" Dark Wheat Beer

5.6% ABV

With an annual output of 40 million gallons; Erdinger Weissbrau is considered the world's largest Wheatbeer or Weissbier brewery. Originally from Erding near Munich the brewery was first established in 1886. The Weissbier strarted to be brewed just after that (1890s). Up until the 1960s Weissbier made up only a small section of the Bavarian beer market, but around this time consumer's tastes changed and the classic cloudy Weissbier made a resurgence and now holds 27% of the market share. The best place to try this and many of the other Erdinger beers is on tap at the brewery itself.

The "Dunkel" or dark beer is one of Erdinger's original beers. The "Dunkel" features a second fermentation in the bottle.

Review

Firstly the beer pours a very brown almost mahogany, unclear liquid with a tan coloured frothy head. A roasted malt aroma is present with slight caramel and bready notes. There is a slight floral hoppy fragrance present too. A mild, slight coffee taste with a little bitterness on the finish. Surprisingly quite a refreshing and light palate with a slick mouth feel but quite fizzy carbonation.

Maybe a little too fizzy on the tongue with some good malty flavours but just not enough to be a real contender.